Sir Paul McCartney chosen as Kennedy Center Honoree
Sir Paul McCartney has been chosen as a Kennedy Center Honoree, one of the most coveted performing arts awards in the US, in recognition of his lifetime’s work in music.
The former Beatle, 68, was one of five chosen to be honoured at the 33rd annual event in Washington in December, which will be attended by US President Barack Obama.
Sir Paul said: “President Kennedy was such an icon for us in the Sixties and his presidency was so inspiring for so many people that it is a great pleasure for this kid from Liverpool to receive this honour.”
The former Beatle was nominated eight years after he was first chosen but was unable to attend the ceremony in Washington because of a prior commitment to attend a cousin’s wedding.
“We first asked if he had any relatives getting married the first week of December,” joked George Stevens, the producer of the event.
Sir Paul will receive the Kennedy Center’s award along with television host and businessman Oprah Winfrey, country singer Merle Haggard, choreographer Bill T Jones and composer Jerry Herman.
Previous winners of the award include Sir Elton John, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Dame Julie Andrews.
Sir Paul received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in June and performed at the White House, serenading Michelle Obama, the First Lady, with a rendition of ‘Michelle’.
Sir Paul McCartney has been chosen as a Kennedy Center Honoree, one of the most coveted performing arts awards in the US, in recognition of his lifetime’s work in music.
